U.S. Department of Education, Contracts and Purchasing Operations, CPO, 7th & D Streets SW, Room 3616, Washington, D.C. 20202-4443

R -- EDUCATIONAL LONGITUDINAL STUDY POC Lola Bland, (202) 401-3538, Contract Specialist This source sought announcement is for planning purposes only. The United States Department of Education(ED) plans to issue a solicitation for Educational Longitudinal Study(ELS 2000). ELS:2002 will begin with a tenth grade cohort in 2002 that will be followed at two year intervals. ELS:2002 will collect data from students and their schools, parents, and teachers. These tenth grade students will also be asked to complete cognitive tests in mathematics and reading comprehension. The method of data collection will include paper and pencil sessions in group settings and telephone and personal interviews. This study will culminate with documented data files and the user's manual for the first follow-up. The solicitation will be issued under Standard Industrial Classification(SIC) code 8732 and 8733. ED is seeking expressions from small businesses to determine if an adequate number of small businesses exist which are capable of performing this service and are likely to submit a proposal. Teaming is also encouraged between large and small businesses, as well as with large businesses utilizing small businesses as sub contractors. In the past, larger businesses have used small businesses for optically scanning questionnaires and tests; providing locating services for youth who are part of longitudinal surveys; providing printing services for questionnaires assessment instruments and providing laptops for data collections. Qualified firms, classified as a small business, are encouraged to submit a capability statement no later than July 27, 1999. The capability statement must describe your organization's qualifications and experience for performing similar services. Responses may be mailed, faxed(202) 708-9817 or electronically mailed to Lola_Bland@ed.gov. This is not a Requested for Proposals(RFP) and should not be construed as a commitment of any kind by ED to issue a solicitation or award a contract. Posted 07/15/99 (I-SN354816). (0196)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0199 19990719\R-0049.SOL)